BillieBalloon said:

laurarichardson said:

callimnate said:

How many new members did the org take on after the 21st of April??

That might give you an indication of the P bandwagon.

While I am sure the almost universal "grief" about Prince the week following his dealth included millions who were at best casual fans, that's okay. It is how we do things in this culture:overkill for a day and then move on to the next thing to overkill.

However, i think it would be unfair to stereotype the people who joined the org after his death as only superficial fans. Many of the people who are making the most posts here over two months after his death are the newer members, including myself. There are too many reasons that may account for why someone might be totally into Prince and not jon the org to list them here, but I'll just speak for myself. First, I spent a few decades of totally being into music before musical artists even had internet sites devoted to them. So, it doesn't even occur to me to do so. I just get into their music. However, my grief about Prince did make me want to check things out on the net. Secondly, I tend to avoid message boards on any topic that I am passionate about due to the fact that many of them tend to be so negative and frequently dehumanizing in their vitriol. I have generally been pleased that there hasn't been much of this on this site since I have joined though apparently there was more of it before he died. Thirdly, sometimes life event get in the way of people pursueing the things they love. For me, twins happened late in life . (not that I don't love them too).

willowcb said:

manabean84 said:

My mom became a fan after his death. Not to be one of "those" people though. She liked a couple of his songs, but never got much into listening to his music. After he passed and she was hearing all of the unknown information about him she realized how much of a great person the world lost. She did not know that when he changed his name to he had a method to his madness, she thought when he did it he was just being weird. She didn't even know his real name was Prince, or that he knew how to play so many instruments that he taught himself, or that he was a humanitarian. After reading and hearing about all of this, she realized how great he was and the reason why I have been a fan and follower for so long.

[Edited 7/3/16 7:45am]

I feel much the same way your mom does. I was a fan of Prince's music years ago, but never followed too closely his later years. However, I felt such sadness hearing of this vibrant, wonderful musician passing so soon that I have spent countless hours reading and watching videos of his life and music. What a loss.

[Edited 7/3/16 14:45pm]

This is me too. I loved him when I was a kid, his early years. He got into hip hop and that spare, less melodic sound and I was soaking up the greats of the past. I got out of pop music totally in the late 80s except for the occasional huge hit that was played everywhere like "You get what you give" et.

Then when he died I felt so sad, and because all his lyrics and songs are available for listening everywhere, I listened and read. To me it's uneven in quality. But man there are songs like the melody of "Love u but don't trust u" -- as beautiful as anything he did in his so-called prime. The lyrics of "Breakdown" and "The Love We Make"... very touching, very deep.

To me at the time he seemed arrogant and ridiculous when he broke from WB. How rich does someone need to be? I thot. And he always had creative control, which is rare for recording artists. Now I get it much more, makes sense. A few execs getting wealthy to head a company that served basically as a distribution pipeline and ad/marketing reps. He defied not only his label but the entire music industry. Why weren't any of these incredible later songs played on the radio? The stations were dependent on the labels -- back in the mid- late 90s when this happened -- and understandably terrified of being blackballed if they gave his songs air play.

Since then radio stations have consolidated to the point where they're now owned maybe 95% by 3 or 4 large corporations.

It's obvious he took a tumble for his sake that will ultimately benefit a lot of other artists. Was he arrogant? Yes! Deservedly so for his talent, yes. But he also ticked off a lot of people. And WB was correct in that if he'd put out a great album every couple of years there would have been more critical acclaim, more attention on fewer songs, listeners could have absorbed his message better.

Had he done this, I am convinced he would have had a much larger audience at his death, and been one of those enduring artists whose career of huge hits spans the decades -- more like Stevie Wonder who spent a good 20+ years on the charts. If, if... if he'd had more humility in his younger years. More diplomatic skills. But that's not who he was.

[Edited 7/4/16 9:25am]

BobPaisleyPark said:

It seems all of America loved Prince, and were devastated by his death.

As a long time Prince fan, I call bullshit!

I don't remember this level of love during his life, record sales prove this.

I don't know about the record sales, since independent artists will never sell the way he did in the 80s. I do understand your sentiment, though, although I'm sure you wouldn't consider me a "true" fan, because I fell off following him somewhere in the 90s (because...life), and I never saw him live because large crowds are hard for me, something I think he'd understand. When my grandmother died, I was angry with my cousins for a very long time whenever they reminisced about her. She was with my family for months out of every year, including holidays, and they visited so rarely I didn't even know most of them (I have a large family). So, as I said, I do understand. I realized after many years, however, that each of them had their own relationshp with her, full of moments when I was not present as I am one of the youngest. Her death brought those special memories to the forefront and those memories did shape their lives in a way that I, in the end, could not discount. And I know that each of them were special to her. It took a LONG time for me to get there, however.

In the end, I think there are some people who make every tragedy about themselves, and then there are those who are connecting to and recognizing his extraordinary artistry and genius and who will be fans for life. I think he would appreciate that...at least I hope he would.

laurarichardson said:

BillieBalloon said:

I agree. I've spent money I would rather have gone directly to him. It's as if after he died is how things should have been when he was alive. How was anyone supposed to discover prince when the one platform most youngsters use was almost completely devoid of Prince..I.e youtube. I mean nevermind the music you couldn't even see an interview. That's one thing i don't get..why were none of his interviews not allowed on Youtube. I remeber I used to search for them. and come up with a very small handfull that I had already seen so many times. And yes you're right..it's not only America that is grieving ..

What crap I never had a problem finding Prince stuff on-line, boots, or buying his music or going to his concerts. Young people are lazy and like free shit. Prince wanted you to buy his music that is why for 20 years as an independent artist he worked every angle of distribution to the music to the fans and never stopped touring. He just wanted you to pay for it. If you can find that shit by Panda you should be able to find Prince.

While it's true that it was possible to find his recent work, it could have been much easier, especially when compared to other independent artists (the group, Over the Rhine, comes to mind as a good example; life intervenes and I lose track of their latest, too, but I always know where to go to get caught up). I think the presence of a singular website linking to his catalog, concerts, and parties would have allowed people like me to regain access to his work in the few moments I have to search online uninterrupted (and which I did try to do about a year ago with minimal success). I'm not sure it would have helped too much with the younger crowd. He needed a Youtube presence for that, I suspect, though I am no expert. Anyway, the work is always easier to find if you follow an artist with no interruptions, especially if they don't have such a website.

I will say this, though. I won't feel that my sincere interest in Prince is somehow weird or wrong (flack I got in the 80s) or not real because I didn't or couldn't keep up with everything he did in his almost 40-year career. He is one of my all time favorites. I took him for granted, which I truly regret and have to live with. My solution is to focus on his music. I think that's what he'd want people like me to do.

[Edited 7/4/16 10:36am]

[Edited 7/4/16 11:56am]

IamBryan said:

Because just like John Lennon said... "Everyone loves you when you're 6 foot in the ground"...

Just not true. People are more respectful when you are gone as they should be - but the general feeling doesn't change.

When I heard the BBC were set to do a tribute to Jimmy Savile I was horrified and said "your joking, didn't we all have enough of that pervert when he was alive". No-one saw my point of view at the time and I had to put up with a list of all the good things he did and their clear horror that I would be so nasty to such a good man after his death (yuck).

I liked some MJ songs but never liked MJ himself so his death was sad but didn't touch me. I didn't even revisit the songs I liked.

I liked Bowie and went to some concerts. I listened to some of his material when he died but that's all.

I never thought P dying would affect me like this. It just does. I tried to resist signing up for this site - not something I would normally do. It just didn't work. If people are still here it is because they loved him and are hurting.

sunset3121 said:

IamBryan said:

Because just like John Lennon said... "Everyone loves you when you're 6 foot in the ground"...

Just not true. People are more respectful when you are gone as they should be - but the general feeling doesn't change.

When I heard the BBC were set to do a tribute to Jimmy Savile I was horrified and said "your joking, didn't we all have enough of that pervert when he was alive". No-one saw my point of view at the time and I had to put up with a list of all the good things he did and their clear horror that I would be so nasty to such a good man after his death (yuck).

I liked some MJ songs but never liked MJ himself so his death was sad but didn't touch me. I didn't even revisit the songs I liked.

I liked Bowie and went to some concerts. I listened to some of his material when he died but that's all.

I never thought P dying would affect me like this. It just does. I tried to resist signing up for this site - not something I would normally do. It just didn't work. If people are still here it is because they loved him and are hurting.

I can relate to this sunset3121. I have never had this reaction to a celebrity death before, although I did cry a bit when Alan Rickman died, but it didn't last this long. And I, too, usually avoid unoffical fan sites (in this case I wish I had found the community last year when I was looking for info because it would have plugged me in). I think it's a testament to his artistry that he affected people more than they realized. That's what the great ones do!

I can't speak for anyone else but I realize I would be considered a "band wagon jumper" or "newbie" by long-time fans. I always liked Prince since the early 1980's, but got distracted from pretty much all music and entertainment by lack of money and adult responsibilities. I always had it in my plans to go see Prince live but never got around to it (or any other concert since "The Who" in the 80's). Sadly, that won't happen now. His death and the flood of music suddenly available on the internet has made me aware of how much I missed and how much time has flown by.

I realizre that all these new members after 4/21 could be distressing to long time Prince purple army family and true fans so I will refrain from commenting anymore but I will continue to look at your beautiful pictures and read about his music because Prince is addicting. And I'll still keep listening to his music for the rest of my life because it's a gift he left behnd.

Namelessfan said:

I can't speak for anyone else but I realize I would be considered a "band wagon jumper" or "newbie" by long-time fans. I always liked Prince since the early 1980's, but got distracted from pretty much all music and entertainment by lack of money and adult responsibilities. I always had it in my plans to go see Prince live but never got around to it (or any other concert since "The Who" in the 80's). Sadly, that won't happen now. His death and the flood of music suddenly available on the internet has made me aware of how much I missed and how much time has flown by.

I realizre that all these new members after 4/21 could be distressing to long time Prince purple army family and true fans so I will refrain from commenting anymore but I will continue to look at your beautiful pictures and read about his music because Prince is addicting. And I'll still keep listening to his music for the rest of my life because it's a gift he left behnd.

No no no! Please, comment and interact. You are welcome. ALL are welcome. We are united by love and Prince would have loved that. There are no "true fans", there is just love.

redaddict said:

Namelessfan said:

I can't speak for anyone else but I realize I would be considered a "band wagon jumper" or "newbie" by long-time fans. I always liked Prince since the early 1980's, but got distracted from pretty much all music and entertainment by lack of money and adult responsibilities. I always had it in my plans to go see Prince live but never got around to it (or any other concert since "The Who" in the 80's). Sadly, that won't happen now. His death and the flood of music suddenly available on the internet has made me aware of how much I missed and how much time has flown by.

I realizre that all these new members after 4/21 could be distressing to long time Prince purple army family and true fans so I will refrain from commenting anymore but I will continue to look at your beautiful pictures and read about his music because Prince is addicting. And I'll still keep listening to his music for the rest of my life because it's a gift he left behnd.

No no no! Please, comment and interact. You are welcome. ALL are welcome. We are united by love and Prince would have loved that. There are no "true fans", there is just love.

This is nice to read here. Finally. The reception was chilly at best, and downright hostile at times for new members after 4/21. It's still disheartening to see comments both in the forums and in chat about the "newbs" vs the "regs" and "bandwagon fans" etc. There are still plenty of folks here that won't aknowlege new members or even give them a chance. Most of us are horrified by the bullying that goes on in elementary schools yet we give adults a free pass to act similarly. Its a pity. Everyone is worthy and has something to offer if they are allowed to.

sonshine said:

Replica said:

sonshine said:

This is nice to read here. Finally. The reception was chilly at best, and downright hostile at times for new members after 4/21. It's still disheartening to see comments both in the forums and in chat about the "newbs" vs the "regs" and "bandwagon fans" etc. There are still plenty of folks here that won't aknowlege new members or even give them a chance. Most of us are horrified by the bullying that goes on in elementary schools yet we give adults a free pass to act similarly. Its a pity. Everyone is worthy and has something to offer if they are allowed to.

Yes, stay! Some fans would only accept you if you own every release and bootleg I consider James Brown and Miles Davis in my top five favourite artists. Still I own just a few of their albums. The reasons for appreciating someone are different between people, and that's what's interesting with this forum. Different perspective, different type of knowledge etc. We have all types of people here. It's lovely when people are loving.

I agree that everyone has a right to relate to Prince however it strikes them. For example, there is nothing less honorable about stop buying an artist when you perceive their music has gone downhill versus buying everything and repeatedly bitching about the quality of it.

My other comment is that the people still on the org are not the one day mourners of Prince. If more people on the org means that more people are truly getting into his music (both new fans and ones that drifted away for various reasons), that's great!

Bunsterdk said:

laurarichardson said:

What crap I never had a problem finding Prince stuff on-line, boots, or buying his music or going to his concerts. Young people are lazy and like free shit. Prince wanted you to buy his music that is why for 20 years as an independent artist he worked every angle of distribution to the music to the fans and never stopped touring. He just wanted you to pay for it. If you can find that shit by Panda you should be able to find Prince.

Here, Laura, does that help you remember your post where you quoted me, which is why I replied to you.. For some reason my quote isn't included, but it was in your post.

I mentioned distribution of 20Ten as an example for pity's sake. But that was the end of my active pursuit of his music. Life happened. You know the stuff some of us have to put up with that stops us from doing whatever we feel like whenever we feel like it. Well, plainly you don't know.

Sold out concerts is fine, but the "sold out" part actually means some can't buy tickets although they would like to. I always heard of it too late, or it was at venues I didn't want to go to. One of them had seen several teenagers crushed to death at the exact stage he was playing because of lack of security, another actually had reports of problems of the same nature at his concert. We didn't get many visits in this country.

There are reasons for everything, but for the fanatical no reason will ever be good enough. Fanaticism and love are not, however, the same thing. I'm not calling you a fanatic, but for me to do what you did, I'd have to be. And I'm not. I just love the man and his music. If that's not good enough for some of you, well..
[Edited 7/4/16 4:11am]

There is major grief for him because there is major love for him.

Record sales is not always the whole story. In my city, depending on the station, you could hear Prince almost every day before his death. Now, was it TRC or Come, no. But it could be Breakfast Can Wait or even Black Sweat and then of course, mostly all of his older material.

Just because all Prince fans are NOT on the Org or was always talking about Prince all day everyday and supporting every single album, does not make them a lesser fan. You think Prince supported EVERYTHING that some of his favorites did? Of course not. Didn't make him less of a fan of Earth, Wind & Fire or Slave or The Ohio Players or The Time or even Lenny.

It's human nature to be away from celebs and their projects. And it's human nature to gravitate toward things that are considered "hits" or hot.

That's why albums like Musicology or The Emanicipation of Mimi or All That You Can't Leave Behind are considered "comeback" albums. Because the artist has appeared to "comeback" to their peak again.

Give mere mortals a break.

ciki44 said:

BillieBalloon said:

laurarichardson said:

--- You mentioned youngsters not me. Why the fuck would a 51 year old give a shit about what plateform youngsters use for music and entertainment. Prince put one Cd out with a magazine not 20 or 30 so why are you making a big deal out of it. It is difficult for an independent artist to distribute their work. Prince used every means of distribution to get his music out to fans and make a profit for himself. No one has a problem with major corporations make a profit and no one has a problem with major a studio sending a take down notice when someone uploads a movie on YouTube. I did not have contact anyone in the UK to get 20Ten I just asked via the Internet and someone was nice enough to send it to me. My point being if you wanted to find his music you could have found it. [Edited 7/3/16 8:43am]

The way to get new fans is not to give them a shovel and ask them to dig. You may not have had trouble finding stuff because you're a long time fan. I just think he could have used youtube to his advantage. Look at it now, people who only touched on prince are getting deeper into him because of everything that's our there, the concert footage has very positive comments.

But are we saying that about Taylor Swift who took her stuff off of Spotify and now is getting into with YouTube. Soon more MAJOR artists are going to start taking their stuff off of YouTube/Vevo.

All the things these artists are doing NOW, Prince did them when no one was doing it. And he paid a huge price for it BUT his musical legacy, which to be honest is really all the Musician has at the end of the day, is what we have now.

I mean, many people DID NOT appreciate Mozart in his day. He got truly famous AFTER his death.

anangellooksdown said:

BillieBalloon said:

The way to get new fans is not to give them a shovel and ask them to dig. You may not have had trouble finding stuff because you're a long time fan. I just think he could have used youtube to his advantage. Look at it now, people who only touched on prince are getting deeper into him because of everything that's our there, the concert footage has very positive comments.

Not defending anyone etc...just read the last comment and want to say that YouTube has DEFINITELY helped Prince, at least in my case...I would not be so taken with his talent if it weren't for all the vids. And of course I've run out and bought 4 albums since then, and have only just begun! I still want more. It took me a while to know where to start but because of the Internet (definitely including YouTube) I now have a clearer picture of his eras, albums, and what I want next. The reason YouTube is so helpful is when I'm driving, I want to hear his music and can't watch YouTube obviously, so I pop in the albums I've bought. In fact I take MUCH LONGER drives than I need to! [Edited 7/3/16 15:28pm]

And to be honest, the REAL way to get to know artists like Prince is really through the radio. Or Radio station apps. See back in the day, that's how you heard an artist, hearing them played all the time on the radio, regardless of age.

When radio changed, that changed the game for a lot of artists that were huge in the 80's and early 90's. If affected a lot of things, not just Prince. The way to attract people is to either have a hit OR gain a following because you got on a hit. That's how YouTube artists get started.

I think the only thing Prince missed out on was letting products and commercials use him music. THAT'S something that had I been in his camp, I would had encourage him to do until he did it.

ciki44 said:

I am A 60 year old grandmother and I have been a Prince fan since the late 1970s. I have Prince's albums and concert ticket stubs I saved over the years. Now, just to clarify things a bit, I did not join this org until after Prince's passing. I came across this site a few years ago and some of the posts seemed quite negative to me. After his death, I came across the site again and there was a different vibe - just fans missing Prince. So, while this site is a nice place to come to and reminisce/grieve Prince, being a member prior to April 21 is certainly not the litmus test of a true Prince fan.

Maybe a lot of people are totally shocked and disturbed about his passing because they, like myself, thought that he would be around for at least another 20 years or so. That's the reason for the outpouring of grief. I know that some just want to jump on the Prince bandwagon, but that's not the case for everyone.
I've been a die hard Prince fan since his very first release. There have been times when I didn't keep up with him due to life, but he has truly been (and still is) my favorite entertainer. I've posted more on the org in the 2 months since he passed than I had for the last year or so because I'm truly grieving.

tmo1965 said:

Maybe a lot of people are totally shocked and disturbed about his passing because they, like myself, thought that he would be around for at least another 20 years or so. That's the reason for the outpouring of grief. I know that some just want to jump on the Prince bandwagon, but that's not the case for everyone.
I've been a die hard Prince fan since his very first release. There have been times when I didn't keep up with him due to life, but he has truly been (and still is) my favorite entertainer. I've posted more on the org in the 2 months since he passed than I had for the last year or so because I'm truly grieving.

Same here. I used to lurk all time here since about 2009. I would go in and out and one time made an account but forgot it,

But after he passed, I came back for a brief visit. I mean I see everyday why I left in the first place BUT I am liking the picture threads very much

Hindsight is 20/20.

Pokeno4Money said:

It's human nature to not appreciate what you've got, until it's gone.

Sales of every famous musician's albums has skyrocketed after their death, it's not just a Prince thing.

it's the nature of humans that live in a consumer driven society to take everything for granted.

++

i admit to being a little bitchy at the newbies who showed up after he died. but then i remembered all the 18-25 yo i had seen at his concerts on the last tours. some of it makes sense. for my part i've loved him and his work all of my life. it was a gut punch. i couldn't and didn't visit the org until may. i still haven't watched the tributes or re-watched the films. those things still sting.